Thursday, January 25, 2007

Matching Armchairs Just Aren't Grand Enough For the French

French President Jacques Chirac (R) speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after the International Conference for Support to Lebanon in Paris, January 25, 2007. Lebanon obtained $7.62 billion in aid and loan pledges on Thursday to help it recover from war and enable its Western-backed government to weather a growing threat from Hezbollah-led opponents. REUTERS/Patrick Kovarik/Pool (FRANCE)

EDIT: I forgot to mention the incredible sense of relief I experienced upon seeing this picture. I was a little daunted by Condi's white suit, seeing as it's January and everything (despite Patti Hearst's claim in Serial Mom that fashion rules have changed), so I was on pins and needles until seeing the proof that, no, Condi was not wearing white shoes. Phew!

Five centuries of ever-mounting exquisiteness in French interior design have clearly been tossed out the window to make way for those truly, truly soviet sofas. I think the small gilded chairs behind are quietly plotting a counter-revolution, with or without the help of GARGANTU-SCONCE (nearly spilt my morning tot of something warming on that one, gregg).

And I'm sorry; shoes or no shoes, winter white isn't something one should try to carry off in Paris unless one is Catherine Deneuve.

Fraea, I suspect that couch is actually VINYL, which would explain Condi's 'Air Hostess' look. Yes, Princess, I too am greatly relieved that her shoes are not white, but I am noting the odd transparency of her outfit. I need to know that she is NOT wearing colored underwear. If she is, and it shows through, well, I might just have to wash my hands of this whole affair. But I do adore the way her foot looks dismembered by the black coffee table (plastic?!!!).

BTW, is Chirac showing her how big his John Thomas is? Because I don't believe it. Not one little itty bit do I believe it.